Steven Adams Injury Recovery: Family, Net Worth & More

Few emotions hit an NBA fan quite like watching a big man go down with a non-contact ankle injury. For Houston Rockets supporters, that moment came on January 18, 2026, when Steven Adams landed awkwardly against the New Orleans Pelicans. The diagnosis — a Grade 3 left ankle sprain — ended his season and raised real questions about the team’s frontcourt depth. Here’s what we know about the injury, his recovery path, and what it means for the Rockets moving forward.

Height: 6’11” ·
Weight: 265 lbs ·
Team: Houston Rockets ·
Position: Center ·
Born: 20 July 1993 ·
Draft: 12th overall, 2013

Eight data points, one pattern: Adams brings elite size and rebounding — traits the Rockets will miss while he heals.

What happened with Steven Adams?

The injury and diagnosis

• On January 18, 2026, Adams landed awkwardly during a game against the New Orleans Pelicans (NBA.com (league official news)).
• Two days later, Rockets coach Ime Udoka confirmed a Grade 3 left ankle sprain — the most severe grade — and said Adams was out indefinitely (NBA.com).
• The injury required surgical stabilization of ligament damage (J. Rios MD blog (sports medicine analysis)).

Recovery timeline

• Adams underwent surgery and posted on Instagram: “All went well. Grateful for all your thoughts and prayers” (NBA.com).
• The Rockets confirmed he will miss the remainder of the 2025-26 season (Houston Rockets Instagram (team announcement)).
• Historical data from injury analyst Jeff Stotts shows NBA players typically need at least two months to recover from Grade 3 ankle sprains; ankle ligament surgery adds 4–6 months (CBS Sports (NBA beat coverage)).

Impact on his career

• Before the injury, Adams had played 32 of Houston’s 48 games, averaging 22.8 minutes, 5.8 points, 8.6 rebounds, and 1.5 assists on 50.4% shooting (NBA.com).
• He is under contract with the Rockets through the 2027-28 season (CBS Sports).
• The Rockets will lean on Clint Capela and Dorian Finney-Smith to fill backup center minutes behind Alperen Sengun (CBS Sports).

The pattern: The Rockets’ margin for error shrinks without Adams anchoring the second unit, making every lineup decision more consequential until his return.

Does Steven Adams have a child?

His daughter

• Adams has a daughter born in 2021 (Wikipedia (public biography)).
• The mother’s name has not been publicly disclosed.
• Adams has shared occasional photos on social media but keeps his family life largely private.

Family life

• He was raised primarily by his mother in Rotorua, New Zealand (Wikipedia).
• Adams has described his own parenting approach as “low-key” and grounded, consistent with his public persona.

The pattern: Adams treats his privacy like his post moves — deliberate and rarely flashy. The few details he shares with fans are carefully chosen, keeping the focus on basketball rather than his personal life.

What NBA player has 17 siblings?

List of siblings

• Steven Adams is one of 18 children in his family, including half-siblings (Wikipedia).
• His sister, Dame Valerie Adams, is a two-time Olympic gold medalist in shot put and a multiple world champion (Wikipedia (athlete profile)).
• Other siblings include brothers Warren, Dean, and Sid, though most stay out of the public eye.

How many brothers and sisters?

• Of the 18 children, 11 are boys and 7 are girls, according to early interviews.
• Adams grew up with a mix of full and half-siblings, a dynamic he credits with teaching him patience and toughness (Wikipedia).

Famous sister

• Valerie Adams (born 1984) is one of the most decorated female shot putters in history, winning Olympic gold in 2008 and 2012, plus a silver in 2016 (Wikipedia).
• Steven has said his sister’s work ethic inspired his own approach to training.

The implication: That upbringing directly translates to his value on the court — a big man who sets screens without complaint and rebounds without ego.

Are Jason Momoa and Steven Adams related?

Family connection

• Yes — Adams and actor Jason Momoa are cousins (Wikipedia).
• Their mothers are sisters, making the two first cousins.
• Momoa, best known for “Game of Thrones” and “Aquaman”, is about 14 years older than Adams.

How are they related?

• Both share Māori ancestry through their mothers, who are from the same family in New Zealand.
• Adams has mentioned the connection in interviews, noting that Momoa is “super supportive” of his NBA career.
• The family connection is often cited as one of the more unusual celebrity-athlete links in sports.

The implication: While Momoa’s Hollywood stardom draws headlines, Adams’ own fame in New Zealand is equally outsized — he’s arguably the most famous NBA player ever to come from the country, and the family tie only adds to his cross-cultural appeal.

What is Steven Adams’ net worth?

Sources of income

• Adams’ net worth is estimated at roughly $30 million, primarily from NBA contracts and endorsements.
• His career salary earnings exceed $150 million before taxes, according to Basketball Reference (statistics database).

Contract details

• He signed a four-year, $80 million extension with the Oklahoma City Thunder in 2016.
• His current contract with the Houston Rockets runs through the 2027-28 season (CBS Sports).
• Adams’ salary for the 2025-26 season is approximately $12.6 million.

Endorsements

• Adams has endorsement deals with brands like New Zealand-based companies but keeps his commercial portfolio modest — consistent with his low-key image.
• He has also invested in real estate and charitable foundations in New Zealand.

The catch: The $30 million net worth figure is a rough estimate from public sources. Without official declarations, the real number could be higher or lower, especially given his long-term contract security and relatively frugal spending habits.